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Catherine Dawson-Laframboise: Baseline Zero development goes against the spirit of zoning laws

Posted:
04/15/2014 01:00:00 AM MDT

As a Boulder resident first, and a Martin Acres resident second, I’m concerned that Baseline Zero would fundamentally change BC-2 zoning interpretation. All Boulder should be concerned about the precedence this would set.

Boulder defines its BC-2 zoning as “mixed-use residential areas generally intended for residential uses with neighborhood-serving retail.” This is displayed in all other Boulder BC-2 zones, such as the Ideal Market area. Of all BC-2 zone development in Boulder: 67 percent is retail, 11 percent is restaurant, and 5 percent are auto-related services.

Baseline Zero, with absolutely no retail proposed, is a radical, precedent-setting departure from the spirit of BC-2 zoning.

I read the developer’s comment (Daily Camera, Feb. 24), “We don’t want to do things that make existing businesses less successful.”

The answer: Provide retail that doesn’t exist anywhere in south Boulder. There’s a long list of non-existing south Boulder retail that wouldn’t compete with existing businesses.

For example, there is no office supply store in all of south Boulder. No pet store. No musical instrument supply store. No auto parts store. No bookstore. No new clothing store. No florist. And after Grease Monkey is demolished, there will be no convenience oil change store. And there is only one bank within walking distance of Baseline Zero.

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South Boulderites routinely drive into Boulder’s core for these services. It’s hardly ecological or sustainable.

Baseline Zero is a wonderful opportunity to provide Martin Acres and Table Mesa with something amazing. Just because the developer has unleased space outside Martin Acres (possibly due to an expensive rate), it doesn’t mean that south Boulderites wouldn’t “flock and walk” to a welcoming, well-designed, mixed-use neighborhood development that strategically provides services we lack.

Thousands would use such a place instead of always driving into Boulder’s core. That would be true sustainability.

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